Paul: Immigration Reform Did Not Sink Cantor

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul said immigration reform was not to blame for the surprise defeat of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor Tuesday night.

Cantor lost to Dave Bratt, a little-known economic professor whose campaign focused largely on immigration. His defeat had some wondering if it would be difficult for the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives to pass immigration reform.

But Paul said a number of issues contributed to Cantor's defeat, including his past votes to raise the debt ceiling and the controversy surrounding the National Security Administration's domestic spying program. He said U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham's victory in South Carolina proved immigration was not the paramount issue.

But Paul - a potential 2016 Republican candidate for president - acknowledged immigration reform remains a tricky area for Republicans.